Distributed automatic control of technological processes in conditions of weightlessness

Some problems associated with the automatic control of liquid metal and plasma systems under conditions of weightlessness are examined, with particular reference to the problem of stability of liquid equilibrium configurations. The theoretical fundamentals of automatic control of processes in electrically conducting continuous media are outlined, and means of using electromagnetic fields for simulating technological processes in a space environment are discussed

Complex treatment of generalized periodontitis at the patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and prevention of postoperative complications

The aim of our research is to improve the efficiency of reconstructive treatment of generalized periodontitis and prevention of postoperative complications at the patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 by using various types of autologous platelet rich fibrin, photodynamic therapy and immunocorrecting therapy. Methods. We used modern clinical, immunological and biochemical methods of research that have been conducted in 96 patients with generalized periodontitis with diabetes mellitus type 2 before and after flap operations with the usage of different types of autologous platelet rich fibrin. Results. To test the modified method of reconstructive treatment of generalized periodontitis was formed two groups: in the main group treatment was carried out according to the developed method (56 patients); in the comparison group treatment was carried by the conventional protocol (40 patients). Final analysis of the results revealed that in the main group the restoration of bone tissue more than 75% was observed in 85.7% of cases. In the comparison group, a complete regeneration of bone tissue after 12 months was observed in 67.5% of cases. Conclusions. To optimize the recovery of periodontal bone defects in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 was proposed an improved method of surgical treatment, which comprises the use of autologous injection platelet rich fibrin (i-PRF) with autologous advanced platelet rich fibrin membranes (a-PRF), which allows to reduce the healing time of wounds by an average of 2,8±0,4 days and to achieve full recovery of bone tissue in 85.7% of cases. Цель исследования. Повышение эффективности реконструктивного лечения генерализованного пародонтита и профилактика послеоперационных осложнений у больных сахарным диабетом 2 типа путем использования различных видов аутогенного богатого тромбоцитами фибрина, фотодинамической и иммунокоррегирующей терапии. Методы. В работе использованы современные клинические, иммунологические и биохимические методы исследования, которые были проведены у 96 пациентов, страдающих генерализованным пародонтитом, отягощенным сахарным диабетом 2 типа до и после хирургических вмешательств на пародонте с применением различных видов аутогенного богатого тромбоцитами фибрина. Результаты. Для апробации модифицированного способа реконструктивного лечения генерализованного пародонтита сформировано 2 группы: в основной группе лечение осуществлялось по разработанному методу (56 пациентов); в группе сопоставления – по общепринятому протоколу (40 пациентов). Итоговый анализ полученных результатов показал, что в основной группе восстановление костной ткани более 75% отмечалось у 85,7% случаев. В сравниваемой группе полноценная регенерации костной ткани через 12 месяцев после оперативного лечения наблюдалась у 67,5% случаев. Выводы. Для оптимизации восстановления костных дефектов пародонта у больных сахарным диабетом 2 типа предложен усовершенствованный метод хирургического лечения, предусматривающий применение аутогенного жидкого фибрина, богатого тромбоцитами (i-PRF), с аутогенными фибриновыми мембранами, богатыми тромбоцитами (a-PRF), позволяющий сократить сроки заживления раны в среднем на 2,8±0,4 дня и добиться полноценного восстановления костной ткани у 85,7% случаев

The influence of non-vacuum electron-beam facing on the structure of Ti-Ta layers formed on the surface of VT1-0 alloy

The influence of electron-beam facing modes on the structure of Ti-Ta layers formed on the surface of commercially pure titanium VT1-0 has been studied in the paper. The mode of the electron-beam treatment of alloying powder mixture, by which there were no defects in the pad, has been identified. The methods of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy have shown that in pads there is dendritic segregation typical for the process of initial crystallisation. At greater magnifications it is possible to observe a structure of the laminar type. The X-ray phase analysis of titanium-tantalum layers justifies the presence of two phases: a hexagonal [alpha]'-phase and a cubic ([beta]-phase of titanium)

An Improved Limit on Invisible Decays of Positronium

The results of a new search for positronium decays into invisible final states are reported. Convincing detection of this decay mode would be a strong evid ence for new physics beyond the Standard Model (SM): for example the existence of extra--dimensions, of milli-charged particles, of new light gauge bosons or of mirror particles. Mirror matter could be a relevant dark matter candidate. In this paper the setup and the results of a new experiment are presented. In a collected sample of about $(6.31\pm0.28) \times 10^6$ orthopositronium decay s, no evidence for invisible decays in an energy window [0,80] keV was found and an upper limit on the branching ratio of orthopositronium \invdecay could be set: \binvdecay<4.2\times 10^{-7} (90% C.L.) Our results provide a limit on the photon mirror-photon mixing strength $\epsilon \leq 1.55\times 10^{-7}$ (90% C.L.) and rule out particles lighter than the electron mass with a fraction $Q_x \leq 3.4 \times 10^{-5}$ of the electron charge. Furthermore, upper limits on the branching ratios for the decay of parapositronium $Br(p-Ps\to invisible)\leq 4.3 \times 10^{-7}$ (90% C.L.) and the direct annihilation $Br(e^+e^-\to invisible)\leq 2.1 \times 10^{-8}$ (90% C.L.) could be set.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures, added references, fixed limit on millicharged particles and changed two plots accordingl

Energy flow problem solution based on state estimation approaches and smart meter data

Accurate electric energy (EE) measurements and billing estimations in a power system necessitate the development of an energy flow distribution model. This paper summarizes the results of investigations on a new problem related to the determination of EE flow in a power system over time intervals ranging from minutes to years. The problem is referred to as the energy flow problem (EFP). Generally, the grid state and topology may fluctuate over time. An attempt to use instantaneous (not integral) power values obtained from telemetry to solve classical electrical engineering equations leads to significant modeling errors, particularly with topology changes. A promoted EFP model may be suitable in the presence of such topological and state changes. Herein, EE flows are determined using state estimation approaches based on direct EE measurement data in Watt-hours (Volt-ampere reactive-hours) provided by electricity meters. The EFP solution is essential for a broad set of applications, including meter data validation, zero unbalance EE billing, and nontechnical EE loss check. © 202

INFLUENCE OF ANTIBODIES AGAINST CTLA-4 AND PD-1 UPON QUANTITIES OF THEIR TARGET RECEPTORS

Inhibitory receptors CTLA-4 and PD-1 (immune checkpoints) play a key role in regulation of immune reactions. They suppress excessive immune response against pathogenic microbes and prevent autoimmune reactions. The immune checkpoints are targets of the modern effective therapy based on human and humanized monoclonal antibodies (ipilimumab and nivolumab, tremelimumab, pembrolizumab, etc). However, despite its high efficiency compared to standard chemotherapy, the therapy based on blocking immune check points is facing several problems, i.e., high therapy cost and severe negative autoimmune-related side effects. Unfortunately, this therapy helps to minority of the patients. Hence, further studies are required to improve its efficiency and safety, as well as to search for selection criteria of the patients who would benefit from the therapy. An appealing approach to reduce negative side effects from immune checkpoint inhibition is application of the blocking antibodies, aiming for ex vivo generation of patients’ activated immune cells for cancer therapy, thus avoiding systemic drug administration. Our aim was to elucidate influence of immune checkpoint blocking antibodies on the expression of CTLA-4 and PD-1 in such an in vitro model. First of all, we have determined quantities of lymphocyte receptors in peripheral blood of healthy volunteers, or cancer patients with disseminated melanoma. Moreover, we defined effect from the addition of antibodies against immune checkpoints on proportions of cells expressing CTLA-4 and PD-1 in the population of phytohemagglutininactivated lymphocytes. Our study demonstrated that, in presence of antibodies to either of the two checkpoints during in vitro cell activation, the blockade of specific target receptor is accompanied by reduced number of cells positive for another checkpoint. Hence, the antibodies directed against PD-1 or CTLA-4 seem to suppress both negative signal cascades at once, if tested under such experimental conditions. Noteworthy, the response to blocking antibodies for different immune checkpoints varied for different donors. Our data may be used for development of effective combinations of lymphocyte activators and immune check-point inhibitors, for in vitro generation of activated lymphocytes applied for adoptive cancer therapy, as well as for prediction of possible responses to antibodies against CTLA-4 or PD-1, aiming to select the best personalized cancer immunotherapy

Data-Driven Machine Learning Methods for Nontechnical Losses of Electrical Energy Detection: A State-of-the-Art Review

Nontechnical losses of electrical energy (NTLEE) have been a persistent issue in both the Russian and global electric power industries since the end of the 20th century. Every year, these losses result in tens of billions of dollars in damages. Promptly identifying unscrupulous consumers can prevent the onset of NTLEE sources, substantially reduce the amount of NTLEE and economic damages to network grids, and generally improve the economic climate. The contemporary advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence facilitate the identification of NTLEE sources through anomaly detection in energy consumption data. This article aims to analyze the current efficacy of computational methods in locating, detecting, and identifying nontechnical losses and their origins, highlighting the application of neural network technologies. Our research indicates that nearly half of the recent studies on identifying NTLEE sources (41%) employ neural networks. The most utilized tools are convolutional networks and autoencoders, the latter being recognized for their high-speed performance. This paper discusses the main metrics and criteria for assessing the effectiveness of NTLEE identification utilized in training and testing phases. Additionally, it explores the sources of initial data, their composition, and their impact on the outcomes of various algorithms. © 2023 by the authors.Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, Minobrnauka: FEUZ-2023-0013This work was partially supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (through the basic part of the government mandate, project No. FEUZ-2023-0013)

Detection of the Initial Region of the Current Transformer Core Saturation

In the first part of the paper the detailed analysis of the existing current transformer (CT) saturation detection methods with their classification is presented. A new saturation detection method has been proposed in second part of the paper. Mathematical description of the method is given. In the next section of the paper a CT model with test scheme is presented. To identify the reliability of proposed method against nose and remanent flux density experiments have been produced in the fourth section. Comparative analysis between proposed and existing methods is also given. Finally, in conclusion a detailed description of the method is given regarding its behavior with respect to remanent flux and noise. © 2021, European Association for the Development of Renewable Energy, Environment and Power Quality (EA4EPQ). All rights reserved.Proposed results are the outcome of work on the topic "Development and testing algorithms and technical solutions for digital control of power facilities" within integrated project "Improvement of approaches to digital management of power facilities"

Test of an LED Monitoring System for the PHOS Spectrometer

Preprint submitted to Elsevier Print on 26th January 2000A prototype monitoring system for the Photon Spectrometer (PHOS) of the ALICE experiment at LHC is described in detail. The prototype consists of Control and Master modules. The first one is 8x8 matrix of Light Emitting Diodes coupled with stable generators of current pulses. The system provides an individual control for each of the 64 channels of PHOS prototype based on lead-tungstate crystals. A long term stability of order of 10-3 has been achieved in integral beam tests of the monitoring system and PHOS prototypes